Asparagus sorting machine



2 s neetssheet 1 J. ALBERTOLI AsPARl-Asus SORTING MACHINE Filed June l, 1956 '.Aprilzs, 1939.

H/5 ATTORNEY April 25, 1939. J. ALBERTOLI 2,155,378

ASPARAGUS SORTING MACHINE -Tled June l, 1936 INVENTOR JOHN HLBPTOL H/5 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to a sorting machine, and particularly to a machine for sorting asparagus stalks in accordance with various sizes of stalks.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a machine by which generally cylindrical objects, such as asparagus stalks, may be rapidly and eifectually sorted and segregated in accordance with their various diameters.

Another object is to provide an asparagus sort- ]0 ing machine which is simple and positive in its action; and which will permit stalks of asparagus to be accurately graded within close limits with respect to diameter without injury to the stalks.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a sorting machine embodying my invention, portions being broken away;

Figure 2 is a plan View of the machine shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a right end elevation of the machine of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken upon the line 4 4 of Figure 1 in the direction indicated;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view illustrating a modified form of the stalk displacing means.

In terms of broad inclusion, the sorting machine of my invention comprises a plurality of object displacing members, preferably rollers, arranged to engage objects, such as stalks of asparagus, fed thereto for expelling the objects at various stations along their path of movement in accordance with their diameters. The rollers,

or equivalent object engaging means, are so arranged that stalks are engaged and displaced thereby progressively in accordance with the diminishing sizes of stalks fed therepast, the large stalks being displaced by rollers between which smaller stalks may pass. The number of sets of rollers corresponds to the number of gradations into which it is desired to sort the objects, each pair being arranged to displace stalks within a given range of size while permitting smaller sizes to pass to succeeding rollers.

In terms of greater detail, the sorting machine of my invention comprises a suitable framework I upon which is mounted a plurality of rollers 2 paired with a like plurality of rollers 3. The

rollers 2 and 3 of each pair are spaced from each other so as to effect a gripping or actuating engagement with objects of a given size while permitting objects of smaller size to pass between the rollers. The pairs of rollers are arranged at intervals along the path of movement of ob- 5 jects, such as stalks of asparagus, supplied thereto for sorting, the rollers 2 and 3 of successive pairs along the path being spaced apart progressively diminishing amounts so that small objects may pass through the more widely spaced rollers 10 without being displaced thereby until they reach whatever pair is spaced to correspond to the size of each particular object.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, the rollers 2 and 3 15 are mounted upon shafts 4 and 5 respectively. The shafts 4 and 5 are journaled in suitable bearing brackets 6, and extend longitudinally of the frame I at one side of a conveyor 'I moving over suitable pulleys 8 and 9 mounted at the ends 20 of the frame I.

The rollers 2 are preferably made of a slightly resilient material, such as vulcanized rubber; and the shaft 4 is so mounted that the periferies of the rollers 2 at their highest points will be spaced 25 slightly below the plane of the top of conveyor l. The rollers 3 may be of metal or other suitable material; and are preferably tapered, and arranged with the small end toward the supply end of the conveyor l. The shaft 5 is preferably 30 mounted with its axis in a vertical plane spaced slightly outwardly from a vertical plane through the axis of the shaft 4. Y

Instead of inclining the shaft 5, the shafts 4 and 5 may be mounted in parallel relation, and 35 the space between the rollers may be varied by the use of rollers of different size.

The shafts 4 and 5 with their rollers 2 and 3 are rotated in opposite directions by suitable driving connections from a motor l I, which may also 40 serve as the prime mover for the conveyor l. For example, the motor II may be conveniently mounted upon a bracket I2 upon the frame; and may be connected, as by a belt or chain I3, to a shaft I4. The shaft I4 may be connected to a 45 pulley shaft I6 for the pulley 8 by a suitable worm Il and worm gear I8 for driving the conveyor. The shafts 4 and 5 may be driven by a single endless belt or chain I5 passing over a pulley or sprocket 2| upon the shaft I4 and extending over pulleys 22 and 23 upon the shafts .4 and 5 respectively. The belt or chain I9 is passed over idlers 24, 25, and 26 to avoid interference with the conveyor I and to turn the shafts in opposite 55 directions as best illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.

Asparagus stalks 21, or other objects of a generally cylindrical shape to be sorted, are delivered onto the supply end of the conveyor 1, manually or in other convenient manner. The stalks 21 are arranged in a single layer with the axes of the stalks extending transversely across the conveyor 1, and with their butt ends overhanging the edge of the conveyor toward the rollers 2 and 3.

The butt ends of stalks may be approximately alined by directing them againstf a plate 28 mounted upon the frame at the supply end of the conveyor. perfect alinement, and tocause the butt ends to extend outwardly from the edge of the conveyor 1 a uniform amount, I preferably provide a notched wheel 29 mounted in the plane of the stalks 21 carried by the conveyor. 'Ihe wheel 29 is mounted upon a vertical shaftr3| positioned between the plate 28 and the rst pair of rollers 2 and 3. The perifery of the vwheel is spaced a desired distance from the edge of the conveyor, which distance is preferably slightly more than the distance between the axes of the rollers 2 and 3 and the edge of the conveyor.

The shaft 3| is driven by any convenient means,

as for example by a shaft 32 geared to the shaft 3| by bevel gears 33 and 34, the shaft 32 in turn being driven by a chain passing over sprockets 36 and 31 upon the shaft 32 and the pulley shaft 38 of the conveyor pulley 1.

As the stalks 21 are moved past the wheel 29,

the notches 30 in the perifery of the wheel engage the ends of the stalks and move the stalks axially sufficiently to clear the perifery of the wheel, thereby obtaining an exact alinement and uniform overhang of the stalks upon the conveyor. The wheel 29 is rotated at a rate such that its periferal speed is substantially equal to the rate of movement of the conveyor 1 to prevent lateral displacement of the stalks by the wheel.

The stalks 21 are moved by the conveyor so that the overhanging ends of the stalks will be carried into the space between the first pair of rollers 2 and 3. As large stalks are so moved, the upper tapered roller 3 vwill cause the end of the stalk to be pressed downwardly onto the lower roller 2; and the rotation of the rollers 2 and 3 lwill cause the stalk to be projected axially outwardly from the edge of the conveyor andinto a suitable receptacle 39. Small stalks, the diameter of which is less than the space between the rollers 2 and 3, will pass between the rollers; and will continue on to successive pairs of rollers until they reach a pair so spaced as to cause the stalks to be similarly engaged and projected off from the conveyor. Each pair of rollers 2 and 3 thus serves to select and remove from the conveyor stalks of a size within a limited range of sizes. Receptacles 39 are arranged to receive stalks removed by each pair of rollers, thereby segregating the stalks into lots of substantially uniform slze.

The upper reach of the conveyor 1 is supported by a plate 4|, or other suitable supporting means, to prevent sagging of the conveyor, and to insure that the ends of the stalks 21 will clear the lower rollers 2 unless pressed thereagainst by the upper rollers 3.

In order lto prevent tipping of the stalks 21 upon the conveyor 1 as the overhanging ends pass under the rollers 3, a suitable guide or retaining means, such as a light belt 60, may be In order to obtain a morey mounted over the conveyor. The belt 69 is preferably round, and may be mounted over pulleys 6| and 62 supported upon brackets 63 secured to the bearing b-rackets 6.

The belt 69 is driven with its lower reach moving in the saine direction and at the same speed as the upper reach of the conveyor 1. For example, the belt may be driven by a crossed belt 64 passing over a V-faced pulley 65 mounted upon the pulley shaft I6, and over a similar pulley 66 upon an extension of a shaft 61 to which the pulley 6| is secured.

The lower reach of the belt Bil is spaced above the conveyor 1 sufficiently to permit the stalks 21 to move thereunder. At the same time, the belt 60 is positioned sufficiently near the conveyor to stabilize the stalks upon the conveyor as the ends of the stalks are moved past the rollers 3. Since the belt |50 moves at the same speed as the conveyor 1, stalks engaged by the belt 69 will not be swung out of position, but will be carried along between the belt El! and conveyor until selected and projected from the conveyor by a pair of rollers 2 and 3. The belt 60 is preferably positioned about midway between the sides of the conveyor so as to engage short stalks as well as long ones.

It sometimes happens that a stalk 21 will be only lightly engaged by a pair of rollers 2 and 3 so that it will be only partially displaced from the conveyor. To support such stalks until they reach a succeeding pair of rollers, a conveyor chain 43 may be mounted parallel to the conveyor 1 and at a sufficient distance from the edge thereof to provide a stable support for the stalks. The chain 43 is arranged in the same plane as the conveyor 1, and is driven at the same speed, preferably from the pulley shaft 6.

If desired, a light plate 4l) may be pivotally mounted opposite each pair of rollers 2 and 3 to limit the partial displacement of stalks 21. I'he plates should be of a weight such that they may be readily displaced by the stalks when projected thereagainst with ordinary force by the adjacent rollers 2 and 3. At the same time', the plates should offer enough resistance to displacement by the stalks to limit the movement of stalks which are so lightly engaged by the adjacent rollers 2 and 3 as to be only partially projected olf from the conveyor.

Instead of the upper roller 3, a stalk displacing member in the form of a short endless belt 44 may be used. Such a belt may be mounted over pulleys 45 upon shafts 43 and 41, either of which may be connected in any convenient manner to a source of power. 'I'he belt may be provided with a plurality of spines 48 or other means for positively engaging objects of appropriate size moved thereunder. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings.

I claim:

1. An asparagus sorting machine comprising a conveyor, a pair of shafts extending along one side of the conveyor, rollers mounted in pairs upon the shafts, the rollers of the pairs being variously spaced to engage the butt ends of stalks of asparagus of progressively smaller diameter carried by the conveyor, and a toothed roller mounted in the plane cf the stalks for aligning the butt ends of the stalks with said ends overhanging the edge of the conveyor and in line with vthe rollers.

l on

of the conveying means, a plurality of rollers upon the shaft and having the uppermost points of their periferies positioned suiciently below the plane of the conveyor to require downward displacement of stalks carried by the conveyor in order for the stalks to engage said rollers, a second shaft spaced above the rst shaft and provided with rollers cooperating with the rollers of the rst shaft for engaging and displacing stalks moved therebetween, the rollers of the second shaft being variously spaced from the rollers of the first shaft and being arranged to depress the butt ends of stalks thereagainst for effecting gripping engagement with stalks of various diameter, and for slightly tilting the stalks relative to the conveyor and means for rotating the rollers to expel stalks of various size at different stations along the conveyor.

3. An asparagus sorting machine comprising a conveyor for carrying stalks of asparagus of various diameters, a shaft mounted in spaced parallel relation to one edge of the conveyor and provided with a plurality of rollers, means for alining the stalks with their butt ends overhanging the shaft and rollers, a plurality of stalk displacing belts mounted adjacent the conveyor for movement transversely thereto, the belts being positioned above the rollers and variously spaced from the peripheries thereof, and spikes upon the belts arranged to engage the butt ends of stalks of various diameters moved between the belts and rollers for displacing the stalks from the conveyor at various stations in accordance with their respective diameters.

JOHN ALBERTOLI. 

